10/4/2008  Newton Jerk-Off Yeah that is what I thought too when I first heard the name. But what we are talking about here is Jerked Chicken. I have had jerked chicken in the past, and I admit to being underwhelmed. However I always felt this was due to having it prepared by inexperienced hands. This time around we had a team working that has been cooking for this event for years. The kernel of the store for the birth of this event is that a member of this group of friends went to the Caribbean, and returned with a tasted for jerk spice. Yearly at the Fall Fest in Newton Kansas, this group comes together and the chicken is jerked. The beer flows, the reggae is played loudly, the bonfire is stoked. Let me say, this was hot without being an instant inferno. It was grilled perfectly, seasoned excellently. I wish I had thought to ask where the spice came from, was it mixed from scratch or did they have an excellent supplier. But I didn't... did I mention the beer flowing? Jerk is basically paprika, black pepper, cayenne peppers, cumin, coriander, garlic, onion, oregano, allspice, ginger root and nutmeg. With lemon juice or zest for the chicken to marinade. In my mouth at least, nutmeg and lemon comes through the most. But like any great combination, it really is sum of its parts. Now let me say, this is a great event. And you are not invited. That is the problem, this isn't an official event. This is mainly a group of Bethel College alumni that come in for the Fall Fest. Best I can do for you is send you for some of Dean & DeLuca's Jerk Seasoning. In the mean time... I am going to spend the rest of the say recovering. Final Rank:100 Heat:85